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Five great plants we always try to include in our gardens designs. Easy to grow and to care for. An ideal plant for low maintenance gardens Each plant is extremely versatile. They can be used successfully in contemporary, traditional, tropical or zen planting schemes. And each plant works effortlessly with a wide variety of plants. Enabling you to create truly stunning planting combinations. Plants you will want to use over and over again in your garden design.
Add purple ‘lollipops’ floating in the spring breeze. Alliums are instantly recognisable. Adding interest and colour to any garden design. A great choice for a sunny border. Raised beds or rendered walled planters. Alliums work well in both a traditional or contemporary garden design. Alliums flower in late spring to early summer. Great for cut flower displays. Alliums work well planted in coloured drifts combines. With ornamental grasses or other coloured plants. Try adding agapanthus and echinacea.
Plant bulbs or plants in a sunny position. Alliums like well-drained soil. The bulbs don’t like waterlogging. They tend to rot. Add grit to clay soil to improve drainage or when planting in raised beds. Mulch in winter to protect bulbs from frost. Alliums are great for encouraging wildlife in your garden. The nectar-pollen rich flowers attract many insects. Including butterflies, bees and moths.
Three alliums you want to use time and time again in your garden. Plant in groups to produce swathes of pastel colours. Globe master produces the largest flower head. Always mulch allium marsh ‘mellow’ over the winter. Allium ‘his excellency’ flowers late spring to early summer. Producing pink, globe-shaped flower heads of star-shaped florets.
Looks great with 1 ⋅ box hedging ⋅ stipa ‘feather’ grass ⋅ hebes ⋅ eryngium ⋅ tulip blue parrot
Looks great with 2 ⋅ forget-met nots ⋅ sedum ⋅ poppy ⋅ hosta ⋅ box ⋅ achillea
PLANTING COMBINATIONS
Modern Italian ⋅ allium ⋅ olive ½ standard ⋅ hebe ⋅ phormium ‘baby bronze’
Relaxed box ⋅ allium ⋅ eryngium ⋅ skimmia ⋅ pittosporum ‘tom thumb’ ⋅ olive ½ standard ⋅ box hedging
One of our favourite plants. Bold fast-growing plant. With hot red flowers. Crocosmia produces swathes of sword-like lush green foliage. Irs green bladed foliage contrasts well with the plate-like flowers of achillea. Crocosmia works well in contemporary, traditional, tropical or zen garden designs. Great for creating hot colours combinations in your garden. Combine its red flowers with yellow, purples and magenta.
Combine crocosmia with similar blade plants, such as phormiums. Choice a dark variety such as phormium baby bronze. Its dark foliage will contrast well with the crocosmias lush green leaves. Creating a dark dark drop for the crocosmias hot red flowers.
Create islands of red colour. Always plant in crocomia in groups for maximum impact. Creating bold drifts of colour from July to October. Crocosmia lucifer is a rich red variety. Well worth adding to your garden design. Its lush green foliage looks great edging hardwood decking.
Crocosmialucifer’ likes well-drained soil in full sun. Divide clumps every couple of years. This will help to encourage bright red long-lasting blooms.
Looks great with ⋅ rudbeckia ⋅ verbena ⋅ achillea ⋅ agapanthus ⋅ kniphothia ⋅ phormiums ⋅ stipa ⋅ echinops ⋅ smoke bush ⋅ bamboo
PLANTING COMBINATIONS
Relaxed prairie ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ rudbeckia ⋅ verbena ⋅ Pennisetum grass ⋅ euphorbia ⋅ phormiums
Bladed colour ⋅ allium ⋅ achillea ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ heuchera ⋅ acer
Phormiums are the ideal plant for adding architectural shapes to a garden. Phormiums work well in both contemporary and traditional garden designs. They are also a great addition to tropical and zen planting schemes. Phormium looks great combined with boulders and gravel beds. Add other architectural plants to add contrast. A Smoke bush contrasts well with lighter green phormium varieties such as tricolour. Add colour for interest. Irises and canna lilies for a tropical feel.
Plant phormiums in full sun. Phormiums grow well in moist well-drained soils. Take care. Phormiums will rot in waterlogged conditions. Add grit to improve soil drainage. They can also be prone to frost damage, particularly the red varieties. Wrap up plants in insulation, before any extreme snaps. Phormiums are tolerant of salty winds. Making them a great addition to any coastal garden planting scheme.
Phormiums look great planting in groups. The variegated tricolour variety looks great against a dark backdrop. Create contrast. Combine phormium tricolour with phormium baby bronze, berberis or a smoke bush. Baby bronze looks great with hot colours, particularly reds. Combine with scarlet verbena.
Looks great with 1 ⋅ skimmia ⋅ vebena ⋅ rhododendrons ⋅ euphorbia ⋅ camelia ⋅ azalea ⋅ bamboo
PLANTING COMBINATIONS
Relaxed pairie ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ rubeckia ⋅ verbena ⋅ pennisetum grass ⋅ euphorbia ⋅ phormiums
Modern tropical ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ helenium ⋅ hosta ⋅ acer ⋅ phormium tricolour ⋅ phormium ⋅ bronze ⋅ fatsia
A traditional plant that equally works well in a contemporary garden design. Verbena is underrated, unfussy plant. It’s great for softening bold timber structures when planted as a screen. This upright perennial weaves in and out of neighbouring plants. Producing swathes purple. Each purple head, containing an array of tiny lavender florets. Great for adding summer colour and height to beds and borders.
Verbena is a long flowing plant that requires minimal attention. Great for low maintenance gardens. Verbena works well planted with cool colours such as agapanthus or lavender. Verbena will also hold its own with hot colours. Combine verbena with crocosmia, rudbeckia and kniphofia.
Planting ⋅ wildlife ⋅ garden services exeter
Verbenas like free-draining soil. It thrives in direct sunlight. Verbena will also tolerant dry conditions. Try to water its base weekly, during the flowering season. Will encourage further blooms during the summer. Don’t cut back dead stems until they are replaced with new ones in spring. Plants can be prone to frost damage. Mulch top of plants if a severe frost is on its way. Plants are self-sowing, replacing any plants killed by frost. Verbenas flowers are rich in nectar. Great for encouraging butterflies into your garden.
Looks great with 1 ⋅ agapanthus (white blue) ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ echinacea ⋅ rudbeckia ⋅ miscanthus grass
Looks great with 2 ⋅ Festuca grass ⋅ hosta ⋅ sunflower ⋅ sedum ⋅ heuchera ⋅ lavender ⋅ echinops
PLANTING COMBINATIONS
Colours & contrast ⋅ echinacea ⋅ verbena ⋅ helenium ⋅ achillea white ⋅ erigon ⋅ heuchera ⋅ euphorbia ⋅ smoke bush
Hot dry ⋅ lavender ⋅ verbena ⋅ hebe ⋅ globe thistle ⋅ stipa ⋅ box balls
Box is a versatile plant you will want to use over and over in your garden design. Box hedging creates the backbone of a formal planting scheme. It looks great framing beds in both traditional and contemporary garden designs.
Add shapes and interest to your box hedging. Try adding compact hebes, shield ferns, box balls or box pyramids. Combine with muted colours. Lavender, iris and agapanthus. Or maybe add hot colours. Crocosmia, rudbeckia or yellow tulips.
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Box is vigorous evergreen shrub. Ideal for low hedging or screening. Box topiary is available in a variety of shapes including cubes, pyramids, balls and spirals. Box will grow in moist well-drained moist soil. In full sun or partial shade.
When shaping topiary, less is always more. Always lightly trim your shapes in mid to late summer. Hard pruning will result in bald spots. Feed plants with buxus feed, for a lush appearance. Water in dry periods to prevent plants from scorching and turning brown.
© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ box balls ⋅ beech columns ⋅ shield ferns ⋅ garden services exeter ⋅ topsham ⋅ exmouth ⋅ sidmouth
Look good with ⋅ agapanthus ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ iris ⋅ lavender ⋅ daphodils⋅ tulips ⋅ hebes ⋅ phormium camelia ⋅ rhododendrons ⋅ tulips
PLANTING COMBINATIONS
Box italian ⋅ allium ⋅ erygium ⋅ lavender ⋅ skimmia ⋅ pittosporum ⋅ box hedging ⋅ olive ½ standard
Formal box ⋅ allium ⋅ yellow tulips ⋅ lavender ⋅ hebes ⋅box hedging
Small Garden Design • Exeter
Small Garden Design · Courtyard · Exeter
Small Garden • Design Ideas • Exeter
GETTING STARTED…
Courtyard Gardens Exeter ⋅ Small Garden Design
For many. You may live in a town or city. You may have had an or want an extension.
Perhaps you live in a new building with an economically sized garden. Or you may have installed an outdoor office. Which has compromised your garden space. For whatever reason, you will need a small garden design.
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• Maybe you live in the city. In a terrace house.
• Or maybe a flat with garden space. Or a new build. Your space is limited.
• You want to make the most of what you’ve got.
Design your dream garden. Create a place to relax in. Entertainment is for family & friends. Add Plants and greenery.
Keep the design simple. Create a list of what you need. A focal point for interest. Some storage. A small shed.
• Relaxation Area
• Lawn · For Pets And Kids
• Storage · Bespoke Sheds
• Seating With Storage
• Low Maintenance Design
You may want an area to relax in. For family and friends. A paved seating area with zone lighting.
Maybe decking for an uneven or slopping garden design.
• Natural Paving
• Decking
NATURAL STONE PAVING
Where space is limited. Natural stone paving is a great option for your garden design.
Cables can be laid for zoned lighting.
DECKING • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Decking is a great option for uneven ground. Garden designs on a slope and gardens with bifold doors.
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Plants to soften the hard landscaping. You’ll probably want a low-maintenance garden. Spend more time relaxing. Than gardening!
LAWNS • ARTIFICIAL GRASS
If you want a lawn area. An area for children and pets to play in. For a small garden design. A low-maintenance artificial lawn is a good option. Child and pet-friendly.
WHY ARTIFICIAL GRASS?
Extremely realistic and natural-looking and great for a courtyard garden design. Artificial grass is virtually maintenance-free. Looking good all year round. Great for small gardens used heavily by children and pets.
• Forget The Shingle
• Realistic • Looks Like The Real Thing.
• Low Maintenance
Want to create a low-maintenance garden? Artificial grass may be the answer.
Forget the shingle. Let’s be honest. No one wants to walk barefoot over a garden full of sharp stones. And the cats love to use it as their local litter tray!
REALISTIC • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Not only is artificial grass now affordable. Due to competition lowing its price. It’s extremely realistic in appearance. Forget that glossy plastic-looking grass. Found in the fruit and veg stores.
ARTIFICIAL GRASS LOOKS LIKE THE REAL THING
Even down to the brown thatch found in natural grass. The more you pay the better the quality. The premium grass tends to be softer to the tough and the thatch is thicker.
The first stage is to excavate the ground. You will need a good base of crushed concrete for your artificial grass to lie upon.
This will offer the artificial grass great drainage.
And will also prevent the grass from sinking over time. Becoming a muddy mess.
The crushed concrete, known as type 1 MOT needs to be added. A weed membrane can be added above or below this layer. My preference is on the top of the grano dust.
The MOT needs to be raked to a good level. The level can be checked using a long spirit level.
Once you are happy. The crushed concrete needs to be compacted using a ‘wacker’ plate.
It’s a good idea to add a good sprinkling of water. To help the MOT bind together.
Finally before adding your artificial grass. Add a layer of grano dust. This will help you to achieve a smoother flat finish. For your artificial lawn!
IRRIGATION • BARK
Great for a small garden. Especially when you have a lot of pots and containers! Add bark to your beds. Keep the weeds out. And the water in!
Good quality bark will give a bed a smart natural appearance. The bark will trap moisture. Reducing the need for watering during those long hot summer months.
Bark also prevents weeds and encourages insects. Including worms. Keeping your soil rich in nutrients and healthy.
LOW MAINTENANCE PLANTS
Plants that grow slowly. Hardy and drought-resistant. Plants have a compact tidy shape.
• Hebes • Box Hedging.
• Mischanthus • Festuca
• Lavender • Thyme
• Colour ⋅ Agapanthus ⋅ Helium ⋅ Verbena
• Shrubs ⋅ Hydrangea ⋅ Phormium ⋅ Skimmia ⋅ Hebe
MORE PLANTING • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Add some planting to your small garden design Exeter.
Add interesting foliage for shape and texture.
Combine key plants together to produce exciting planting combinations, great for any small garden.
Always plant in groups. Creating drifts of color. Add dark-colored shrubs.
ADD CONTRAST
Adding contrast. Creating a backdrop for hot colors.
Dark-colored shrubs: berberis, smoke bush, and phormiums.
TALL • COMPACT • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Choose compact tall plants for your small garden design.
Avoid clumpy plants that will overpower your small garden design.
Modern ⋅ Italian ⋅ allium ⋅ olive ½ standard ⋅ hebe ⋅ phormium ‘baby bronze’
Classic ⋅ contemporary ⋅ white astilbe ⋅ heuchera ⋅ acer ⋅ shield ferns ⋅ viburnum davidii ⋅ silver birch
Bespoke Store • Small Garden Design Ideas
For many, storage is important when designing your garden. Especially in a small garden design.
STORAGE FOR?
A place to store tools. A place to store a bike. Or for storing overflow from the house.
Get creative with your storage. In your small garden design, Exeter.
• Off The Shelf Sheds.
• Bespoke Sheds.
• Under Seat Storage.
Probably the most economical way to add storage. Here you really get what you pay for. Quality does vary. Many of the cheaper kits are poor quality.
Is it possible to modify a cheaper kit as you build the shed? And add extra timber to add extra strength and support.
Why not design and construct your own shed? You will get exactly what you want. And is great if you have a small awkward space to fill. It will take you a little longer. And you will need some basic power tools.
It’s a good idea to price up the project before you start. As the timber prices can add up. And allow for wastage!
It’s possible to construct a seating area with under-seat storage. Make sure the storage is watertight. You can cheat a little. And base the seat frame around a water-tight plastic storage box.
The downside is the seating can be somewhat uncomfortable. You will need to invest in some foam cushions!
What Is A Garden Design Theme?
Choosing a theme for your garden design is a good starting point. Decide on the style of your garden.
A Theme will enable you to consistently choose your design elements. Your materials, your planting.
The Overall feel to your garden design.
Common themes include traditional garden design, Contemporary Garden design, and urban zen garden design. Quality materials and rich planting. Traditional garden design can take many forms. Straight formal lines work well. Sandstone paving looks great, add sleeper raised beds. Planting includes lavender, box hedging and bay trees. A traditional garden design always compliments a period property. Choose traditional materials. Sandstone or slate paving. Oak sleepers for raised beds. Add formal planting. Combine box hedging with topiary. Add drifts of color. Rudbeckia, agapanthus, and lavender. Again, think about timber-raised beds. Used trellis extends the height of fences and walls. Adding privacy. Add climbers to soften walls. Clematis is a climber that is quick to establish. And won’t run rampant. Wisteria is a classic in any garden. But is slow to grow in the first couple of years. Contemporary garden design works well in a small space in Exeter. Great for modern new builds. Subtle curves and modern landscaping materials work well. Porcelain is the new kid on the block. Modern and sleek in appearance SIMPLE PAVING • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER Add simple contemporary paving. Kandla grey sandstone. Or luxurious granite paving. Opt for strong straight lines with minimal fuss. Lay large single stones in a stretcher bond pattern. Porcelain paving is available in a variety of styles and colors. It’s hard-wearing and extremely stain-resistant. Raise beds are great for adding instant vertical greenery to your small garden design. Options include hard or softwood sleepers. Or white-rendered walls. Lighting works well. Lay cables before you render the walls. Next, think about the planting….. Softened the paving and raised beds with bold planting. Strong structural shapes. Hebes, box balls and festuca. With hot colors: crocosmia, alliums, and rudbeckia. And add some texture. Pennisetum grass, phormiums, and shield ferns. Maybe add some climbers on wires. White jasmine is a great evergreen climber. With a wonderful scent. Planting can include alliums, Bay standards, and grasses. This theme is a mix of traditional and contemporary. Decks look great. Especially with tropical planting. ADD NATURAL STONE PAVING Natural stone paving can be used to link key areas in your garden design. Planting includes tree ferns, grass, and phormiums. Informal and relaxing. Decked pathways linking lush rolling planting beds. Hidden areas create secluded sandstone seating areas. CREATE A WATER FEATURE • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN Add a small water feature to add sound and movement to your garden design. Planting most include grasses, echinacea, rudbeckia, and verbena. Why not add a tropical garden design? Great for milder gardens in the south of the country. Timber decking, Gravel paths, and raised beds. ADD LUSH PLANTING Planting is lush and rich. Tree ferns, ferns, grasses and phormiums. Add a splash of color with crocosmia and agapanthus. COMMON THEMES · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS · EXETER
TRADITIONAL GARDEN DESIGN · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS · EXETER
TRADITIONAL SMALL GARDEN DESIGN
ADD PLANTS
CONTEMPORARY · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS • EXETER
PORCELAIN PAVING
RAISED BEDS • VERTICAL GREENERY
ADD PLANTING
URBAN ZEN DESIGN · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS • EXETER
PRAIRIE GARDEN DESIGN · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS · EXETER
TROPICAL SMALL · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS • EXETER
For many, a courtyard garden design conjures up a traditional Victorian terrace. Brick walls, a paved setting seating area, and raised beds. For most, space is precious. For many, a secluded area to relax is paramount.
© Exeter Landscape ⋅ courtyard gardens ⋅ small garden design ⋅ sidmouth ⋅ topsham ⋅ exmouth ·patio garden ideas
A sense of privacy is needed. Especially when dining out on those long hot summer nights.
COURTYARD • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN • EXETER
• Traditional Sandstone Paving.
• Sleeper Raised Beds.
• Reclaimed Materials.
SMALL GARDEN DESIGN IDEAS ON A BUDGET
Garden Ideas For Small Spaces · Court Yard Garden Design Exeter
MASK AREAS • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN
Mask unsightly areas in your garden. Update a tired fence or wall. Add a slatted fence, masking outbuilding, and sheds. Update your existing fences. Adding extra height for privacy in your garden design.
Add a slatted fence to your small garden design or courtyard garden in Exeter.
Create a contemporary feel in your courtyard garden design. Create a focal point in your courtyard.
SLATTED FENCE FINISHES
⋅ Softwood ⋅ Hardwood
ADD CLIMBERS • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Add vertical greenery by adding climbers or hedging to your courtyard garden. Soften existing walls and fences.
Reducing where possible the width of your planting beds in your small garden. Increasing your small garden’s usable space.
Add color, foliage, and scent. Attach climbers to walls, fences, and outbuildings. Choose an evergreen climber for all-year interest in your small garden design all year round.
⋅ White Jasmine ⋅ Passion Flower
HEDGES OF SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
⋅ Photinia ⋅ Copper Beech
USE YOUR SPACE WISELY · Space is at a premium in any new builds. For many resulting in a small gardening space. If properly designed. A small garden can be a blessing in disguise.
ADD RAISED BEDS · Raised beds will save space for planting. Especially in the surrounding seating areas. Avoid anything that blocks the centre of the garden. This will compromise changes to your seating area. When you move the seat for those all-important parties!
© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ small courtyard ideas
© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ water features ⋅ courtyard gardens ⋅ small garden design ⋅ sidmouth ⋅ topsham ⋅ exmouth
A focal point can be something to add interest to your garden design.
A focal point can lead the eye in your small garden design in exeter. Making your small garden appear larger.
Add specimen plants for the wow factor. Choose thin tall plants. Add vertical height to your small garden design st Exeter. While preserving the width of your court garden in Exeter.
Add a row of tall cypresses, pleached trees, or a cloud tree, in your small garden design Exeter.
WATER FEATURES • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Create movement with water in your courtyard garden. Add a self-contained water feature.
A pump buried sump and drilled decorative stone or wall-mounted water sculpture.
Hide the sump with cobbles and planting. Add ambient lighting for evening entertaining.
FOCAL POINTS STONE
⋅ Fire Pits ⋅ Slatted Fences
⋅ Timber Arches ⋅ Bbq Areas
FOCAL POINTS PLANTS
⋅ Magnolia ⋅ Camellia
⋅ Pleached Trees ⋅ Olives
⋅ Acers ⋅ Tree Ferns ⋅ Silver Birch
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Create an outdoor seating area for relaxation and entertaining. In your small garden design area, Eexter.
Add movable furniture or built-in seating. Add a natural stone paving area for alfresco dining…
Create a comfortable-sized space. For 4 people allow a minimum of 3 x3m. With a cooking area allow 4 x4m.
Keep paving simple. A strong bold look. Soften by planting. Add edging setts to frame beds and borders. Lighter paving stones will reflect more light. Useful in shady garden areas. Party well into the night. Add zoned ambient lighting and weatherproof sockets.
TRADITION PAVING • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
⋅ Sandstone ⋅ York Flags
⋅ Slate Paving ⋅ Black Limestone
⋅ Smooth Sandblast Sandstone
⋅ Granite ⋅ Kandula Grey Sandstone ⋅ Porcelain Tiles
Don’t overcomplicate it. Keep your design simple and uncluttered.
Add paving with clean lines. Try maximizing your usable space. Make a list of things you want to include in your garden.
LANDSCAPING • PLANTING BUDGET
Make sure you have enough space. And budget for both your hard landscaping and planting in your small garden design.
RAISED BEDS • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Raised beds are great for creating privacy. Add additional planting height.
By adding lush dense foliage. Bamboo works well.
Giving your that Urban Zen feel. To your garden design.
Raised beds are great for creating privacy. Add additional planting height. By adding lush dense foliage. Bamboo works well. Giving your that Urban Zen feel. To your garden design.
Adding planted raised beds. Softens borders and will conserve. Your overall usable space. Brick and rendered blocks are great for constructing raised beds. Don’t forget the footing!
SOFTWOOD · OAK SLEEPERS · RAISED BEDS
Sleepers are the quickest and most versatile way. Of creating a raised bed in your courtyard garden design. Options include softwood and new oak sleepers. Softwood sleepers are great value for money. Oak Sleepers are longer lasting.
Add raised beds planting. Add some color and structural planting. Hebes, hostas, pennesetum grass and phormiums. Add color alliums, lavender, and crocosmia. For low maintenance. Add bark or decorative shingle.
⋅ Brick ⋅ Natural Sandstone Setts ⋅ Oak Sleepers
⋅ Render Walls ⋅ K Render ⋅ Design Clad
Paving Contractor ∙ Gardener∙ Landscape Gardener ∙ Deck Builder ∙ Lawn Care Service ∙ Fence contractor · Garden Design & Landscaping Exeter · Artificial